Plan Now: 10 Skills You’ll Need to Thrive in 2026 (and Beyond)
Introduction: Get Ahead Before the Year Ends
As we move into the final months of 2025, it’s the perfect time to take stock of where you are — and where you want to go next.
The world of work continues to evolve rapidly, shaped by AI, automation, hybrid working, and shifting expectations around what we value in our careers.
LinkedIn’s 2025 data shows that demand is rising for skills that combine human strengths with digital fluency. And these trends are set to accelerate into 2026.
So before the year wraps up, ask yourself: which skills will help you stay adaptable, confident, and in demand in the year ahead?
Here are 10 must-have skills to start developing now — with simple, practical steps to strengthen each one before 2026 begins.
1. AI Literacy
AI literacy means understanding what artificial intelligence can (and can’t) do — and using it confidently to make your work smarter.
It’s no longer a “tech” skill; it’s a core professional one.
How to build it:
Take short courses on AI and digital tools (LinkedIn Learning) or Coursera’s AI for Everyone.
Experiment with AI-powered tools like ChatGPT, Canva Magic Write, or Microsoft Copilot.
Follow MIT Technology Review or LinkedIn News to stay ahead of emerging trends.
2. Adaptability and Flexibility
The only constant in modern careers is change. In 2026, your ability to pivot, stay open-minded, and reframe challenges as opportunities will remain a key differentiator.
Try this:
Step into a project or task slightly outside your comfort zone.
Practise the growth mindset principles from Carol Dweck (Harvard Business Review, 2016).
Reflect weekly on what recent changes have taught you — and what skills helped you navigate them.
3. Communication and Influence
As hybrid working becomes the norm, strong communication skills — both written and spoken — are essential. Clarity, confidence, and empathy build trust across teams and time zones.
How to develop it:
Join Toastmasters International or take a short online course in communication.
Watch leadership talks by Nancy Duarte or Amy Cuddy.
Practise summarising complex ideas into three key points — it’s a great discipline for clear thinking.
4. Stakeholder Management
2026 will reward those who can build strong, positive relationships — even in complex organisational structures.
It’s about empathy, influence and collaboration, not control.
Try this:
Map your key stakeholders — who do you need to engage or understand better?
Take a negotiation skills course or read about influence models.
Ask for feedback after meetings: “Was that helpful? Anything I could do differently next time?”
5. Innovative and Creative Thinking
Automation handles logic; humans bring imagination. Innovative thinking will continue to be one of the most sought-after skills in 2026 (World Economic Forum, 2023).
How to develop it:
Take part in brainstorming sessions using Six Thinking Hats.
Read beyond your field — inspiration often comes from elsewhere.
Engage in creative hobbies (writing, art, design) to strengthen your problem-solving muscles.
6. Process Optimisation
Efficiency is a hidden superpower. Whether you lead a team or manage your own projects, finding smarter ways to work makes you indispensable.
Practical ideas:
Once a month, ask: “What’s one thing slowing me down — and how can I simplify it?”
7. Conflict Resolution and Calm Communication
With remote work, tone and timing can easily be misunderstood. Handling disagreements constructively is a career-defining skill.
How to strengthen it:
Practise active listening.
Use the SBI framework (Situation–Behaviour–Impact) for clear, respectful feedback.
Take a conflict resolution course to refine your approach.
8. Emotional Intelligence (EQ)
Emotional intelligence is the foundation for all interpersonal effectiveness — leadership, teamwork, and resilience (Goleman, 2004).
In a world of AI, EQ is what keeps work human.
Ways to build it:
Keep a brief daily journal of what energised or frustrated you — and why.
Read Daniel Goleman’s What Makes a Leader in Harvard Business Review.
Consider working with a career coach to gain insight into your triggers and strengths.
9. Digital Collaboration
The ability to collaborate seamlessly online will remain vital through 2026. This isn’t just about tools — it’s about presence, accountability, and trust.
How to build it:
Learn Microsoft Teams, Slack, Miro, or Google Workspace.
Summarise meetings, capture actions, and follow up clearly.
Ask a colleague for feedback on how you show up in virtual meetings.
10. Decision-Making and Risk Awareness
As workplaces grow more complex, clear thinking and good judgement matter more than ever. Employers are looking for professionals who can balance logic and intuition.
How to develop it:
Use SWOT analysis or “best/worst/most likely” scenario planning.
Learn about cognitive bias to improve objectivity.
Reflect on past decisions: What information did you rely on, and what would you do differently next time?
Plan Your 2026 Skill Development Now
If one or two of these skills stand out as gaps — don’t panic. Skill-building is a process, not a sprint.
Here’s how to get started before the year ends:
Choose one skill per quarter to focus on.
Find small, real-world ways to practise it in your current role.
Track your progress — notice what changes in your confidence and results.
If you’d like structure and accountability, a career development coaching programme can help you set goals, build momentum and stay motivated into 2026.
Final Thoughts
The professionals who will thrive in 2026 aren’t necessarily those with the most technical expertise — but those who stay curious, adaptable and emotionally aware.
Use the final weeks of 2025 to invest in the skills that will carry you confidently into the new year and beyond.
About Diana Dawson
Diana Dawson is a Coaching Psychologist and Accredited Master Coach with the Association for Coaching.
She is the founder of Working Career — a coaching practice dedicated to helping professionals and executives build clarity, confidence, and resilience at work.
With over 20 years’ experience in career, executive, and wellbeing coaching, Diana combines psychology, evidence-based coaching, and practical tools to help clients move from stuck to fulfilled in their careers.
When she’s not coaching, you’ll often find Diana outdoors — swimming in open water, riding her horse, or exploring Scotland’s coastlines — pursuits that reflect the same resilience, focus, and balance she helps her clients develop in their professional lives.